Farmers and agricultural contractors are invited to attend a slurry management open day being hosted by the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE).
The on-farm event will be hosted by Stewart Watson, 21 Drumad Road, Coagh, Co. Tyrone (BT80 0DY) on Tuesday. January 28.
There will be three tours on the farm starting at 11:00a.m, 11:30a.m and 12:00p.m.
Slurry
CAFRE said that as the end of the closed period approaches the free event will provide timely advice for both farmers and contractors when applying slurry in the coming weeks.
The farm tours will highlight best practice when applying manures to maximise nutrient use efficiency, whilst ensuring water quality is not impacted.
CAFRE advisers will also deliver practical sessions focusing on optimising nutrient management practices for the incoming season to ensure economic and environmental benefits.
They will provide an overview of the Nutrient Action Programme guidelines and regulations designed to reduce impact of slurry applications on the environment.
The advisors will also discuss the effective use of low emission slurry spreading (LESS) equipment, for farmers and contractors.
Nutrient management planning will be demonstrated using soil analysis and risk maps which are part of the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme.
Open day
The event will see Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) catchment scientists share the findings of ongoing catchment-based research and real-time water quality monitoring results.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Green Growth team will outline a recent project aimed at developing models for processing livestock slurry to reduce surplus phosphorus within Northern Ireland agriculture.
Commenting ahead of the Open Day, CAFRE senior adviser, Darryl Boyd said that “slurry can be a valuable source of nutrients, but only if managed correctly”.
“Good management of slurry is needed to maximise nutrient use efficiency which helps reduce fertiliser costs.
“It will also ensure productive grass growth and minimise losses of nutrients to the environment. Poor or inappropriate management of slurry is a significant threat to water quality,” he said.
